Great Picture Books to Inspire Hope in the World

It seems that these are dire times. That hate, anger, and rage against others is more than the norm than ever. I can tell you, going home to Denmark, many friends have asked me; what in the world is happening in America? At times, it feels as if we are judged as a nation by the very loud actions of a few and so it comes down to the rest of us, those whose voices are for some reason not being heard to make sure that the America we know is one of love, of hope, of kindness. A place where all can exist unafraid. What better way to spread more kindness, love, and hope in the world with a few great picture books?

My favorite Peter H. Reynolds book, which says a lot, is The North Star. We follow the journey of a boy who goes on a windy path to get to where he needs to be. I end every single year with a read aloud of this book because my students are on a journey that is just beginning, even if the future seems a bit unknown and sometimes scary.

Originally published in 1993, Life Doesn’t Frighten Me is about to be reprinted in 2018 for its 25 year anniversary. What a powerful picture book written by Maya Angelou using paintings by Jean Michel Basquiat to remind us to face our own fears.

At times, the biggest reminder we need to not feel afraid is to be in the very moment we are in. Now by Antoinette Portis is magnificent in its simplicity and powerful reminder of mindfulness, quiet, and patience.

Sometimes the world is so scary that all we want to do is shut the door and protect our hearts. The Heart and the Bottle by Oliver Jeffers reminds us to not do that but to keep on loving even when we are afraid of our hearts breaking.

We are one, even when we are split, even when we are hurting, even when others seem hell-bent on splitting us apart. One Today by Richard Blanco (Author), Dav Pilkey (Illustrator) is the beautiful poem from President Obama’s second inauguration is the commemoration of the dreams so many of us carry for the United States.

What do you do when you fear the dark? Find a way to overcome that fear as shown in

Jack’s Worry from Sam Zuppardi teaches us a great lesson on what to do with the worry that follows us around. If we run from it, it grows, we must face it head on.

A few great picture books to bring back hope, and love, and kindness. What are your favorites? To see all of our favorite books, go here.

If you like what you read here, consider reading my newest book, Passionate Readers – The Art of Reaching and Engaging Every Child, out August 2017. This book focuses on the five keys we can implement into any reading community to strengthen student reading experiences, even within the 45 minute English block. If you are looking for solutions and ideas for how to re-engage all of your students consider reading my very first book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. Also, if you are wondering where I will be in the coming year or would like to have me speak, please see this page.

Oh, Pernille! Several of those books are ones I love to pull out and read with my kids several times a year! I also adore STICK AND STONE! Thanks for sharing this list! You’ve given me some titles I didn’t know!

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Disclaimer

Of course these opinions, musings, rants and reflections do not express the opinion of my employer. One would be crazy to think that one single teacher could be the mouth piece for an entire district. Nor are my posts meant to offend mostly, nor mislead but rather provide a snapshot of my mind at a certain point in time on a topic.
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